Meet The Only Two Female IAS And IPS Officers Posted In Kashmir

Only a few days before Jammu & Kashmir was turned into a union territory, Syed Sehrish Asgar was appointed Director of Information in Srinagar. Shortly after, PK Nitya was put in charge of overseeing the area between Ram Munshi Bagh and Harvan Dagchi village. These two women are the only female officers posted in Kashmir during this turbulent period.

Meet Syed Sehrish Asgar

Dr Asgar is an IAS officer, and was appointed Director of Information with the Jammu and Kashmir administration in Srinagar, four days before the state was split into two. Since then, this mother of a one-year-old has been helping people get in touch with their families and loved ones, connecting them with doctors, and ensuring they get the medical assistance and attention that they may need.

Prior to this, Asgar used to practice as a doctor in Jammu, but later quit and took the UPSC exam. Soon after, in 2013, she graduated from the IAS. Asgar’s husband is also posted as the commissioner of Pulwama district. In an interview with a leading daily, the crisis management expert said: "I have always wanted to join the IAS and do something for girls because while many girls look for role models, there aren't many because of the circumstances we are in today. And with every position I've held, I have always worked towards making an impact on girls so that they too can grow up and do good for the society."

Further, speaking about her change of role, she said: “As a doctor, I’ve been treating patients. But today, the challenges in the Valley are different. It requires sternness and emotional support at the same time. I’m glad women are in a position to bring a change in society.”

Meet PK Nitya

Hailing from Chhattisgarh, PK Nitya is an IPS officer who is also currently posted in Srinagar and put in charge of overseeing the area between the Ram Munshi Bagh and Harvan Dagchi village area. The 28-year-old previously held a corporate job, so imaginably, her present role is much more challenging.

Nonetheless, this trained chemical engineer is executing her duties well. A 40-km stretch that covers the popular Dal Lake area, the governor's residence and buildings where VIP’s have been detained comes fall under Nitya’s supervision.

Speaking to the media, she shared: “Besides securing civilians, I have to oversee the security of VVIP’s. Of course, it’s very different from my life in Chhattisgarh. I come from Durg, which has always been peaceful… but I love challenges!”

Apart from Asgar and Nitya in Kashmir, all other female bureaucrats are posted either in Jammu or Ladakh.